Hi! I’m Maya Northen Augelli, the founder of Spread Hope Project. I’m an avid mental health, suicide prevention, and chronic illness advocate who battles rapid cycling cyclothymia (a mood cycling disorder), anxiety, migraines, IBS, and occasional neuro symptoms whose cause has yet to be determined. I began by sharing my journey with illness on my personal blog, Lilies and Elephants, and in 2016  founded the Spread Hope Project.  I love being involved with other advocates and advocacy organizations, including:

• Pioneer member of  Savvy Coop,
• Contributor and Mighty Events host with The Mighty
• A WEGO Health Patient Leader and award nominee
• A No Stigmas Ally
• #WebeWarrior for HealthBeMe
• #BreakThroughCrew at Clara Health

I am certified in Mental Health First Aid, and have volunteered with several local AFSP chapters. This past June, I completed my 5th Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk for Suicide Prevention, an event that I am incredibly passionate about, and plans to continue to participate in each year.

When not actively advocating, I love to travel (6 continents and over 40 countries so far!), running, yoga (currently in yoga teacher training), hiking and nature, anything to do with animals, reading, writing, and spending time with loved ones and friends, and I try to incorporate as many of these passions into my Spread Hope Project work as possible.

I love connecting with people, so feel free to reach out to me here, via email, or on social media. I’d love to chat, learn more about your advocacy efforts or condition, and how the Spread Hope Project may be able to help (or about travel or elephants or yoga, that’s great too!).

What to see more of what I do? Check out these posts, articles, and interviews!

• My interview on Crazy Talk with Lee Thomas
• Feature on There is Always Hope (great name, right!) by Pamela Jessen
• My story on No Stigmas